Elections Board offers tips as voting tensions flare

November 03, 2008|By LAUREEN FAGAN SBT24/7 News Report

SOUTH BEND — As of Saturday night, the Associated Press reports there have been 27 million early votes cast in 30 states — including thousands and thousands in St. Joseph County. The numbers aren't available yet here, said Republican voter registration board member Linda Silcott Monday. But as long lines snaked around early voting sites Monday morning, tempers began to flare — and Linda Silcott offers some advice for voters during this historic election cycle. "Tensions are higher," Silcott said, adding that she'd heard the reports of an argument erupting at the City-County Building downtown. "Just be patient, and we'll be patient with you, too." With unprecedented turnout and hours-long waits, Silcott urges voters to think about voting at off-peak times. "When I worked at the polls it seemed like there was always a lull at ten o'clock and two o'clock," she said. Most people hope to vote around their work schedules, either while traveling to or from their jobs or on lunch hours — so voters may to wish consider those "lull" hours instead. And for those waiting, Silcott suggested bringing lawn chairs or folding chairs, like the camping models. "Those would be perfect," she said. To ease any further frustrations, voters are reminded: Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Each polling site coordinates its clocks and has a designated "sheriff," who will take the last position in line at precisely 6 p.m. Anyone who's ahead of the poll sheriff will still be able to vote, and anyone who comes later will not be able to cast their ballot. If you're a voter who has moved, you still may vote one last time at your previously registered location. Silcott says you're supposed to tell the poll worker that you've moved and you need a form called a "VRG4-12" available at the site. Anyone who reports to vote and is told the name is not in the book should immediately call the elections board voter registration office at (574) 235-9521. It's better to do that than continue the conversation with poll workers, who are doing a different job under pressure, and may not know the answer to your problem. A photo ID is required to vote, and the main one used is an Indiana driver's license. Silcott says the voter registration address and the driver's license do NOT have to match, which she said people often think. But the picture does, and the expiration date has to be valid, and the name has to "conform." For example, a woman who has married but not changed her name yet will still be able to vote despite the difference, she said. Do not wear anything endorsing a candidate or with a candidate's name on it. Early voters have been wearing these shirts and hats to the polls, Silcott said. People will be asked to turn the shirt inside out, remove that hat or leave. Despite voter concerns, only three precincts have actually been changed for this election. Voters who previously went to the Francis Branch library should go to the clubhouse at Castle Point apartments. Voters who went to the Tutt Branch of the library now go to the O'Brien Recreation Center. And just the Penn 16 precinct's voters who go to Pleasant Valley Church of Christ should go to River Valley church instead. As for poll workers, they're putting in a long day, too, and Silcott asks voters to remember that. "We're not equipped to handle this kind of crowd," she said of the unprecedented voter turnout and the unlikely down-to-the-wire Election Day in Indiana. "But we're doing it."